Multilayered knitted fabric technical field

ABSTRACT

The knitted fabric of the present invention is knitted fabric which is not stuffy and is comfortable during insensible perspiration or slight perspiration, which even after considerable perspiration due to exercise etc. does not make the wearer feel sticky, wet, or cold because of the sweat, and which has a satisfactory texture and excellent wear resistance. The knitted fabric comprises 5-25 wt. % cellulosic filaments and 75-95 wt. % synthetic fibers, and is characterized in that in at least one surface A thereof, the proportion of the area occupied by the cellulosic filaments to the overall area of the knitted fabric in the region of the knitted fabric which ranges to a depth of 0.13 mm is 0.2-15% and that surface A to which moisture was imparted in an amount of 200 g/m 2  has a degree of coldness to the touch of 180-330 W/m 2 ·° C.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a multilayered knitted fabric. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a multilayered knittedfabric which is highly hydroscopic, comfortable to wear, not stuffyduring slight perspiration due to exercise etc., and which, even afterconsiderable perspiration, does not make the wearer feel sticky, wet, orcold because of the sweat, and which has a satisfactory texture andappearance, as well as a textile product using said knitted fabric suchas innerwear, sportswear, and bedclothes.

BACKGROUND ART

Cellulosic materials such as cotton and cupra have excellent hygroscopicand water absorbing properties, and thus, when used in clothing,generally it is very comfortable during no (insensible perspiration) orslight perspiration. However, when the amount of perspiration exceedsabout 100 g/m² during the summer season or during exercise, cellulosicmaterials, which can easily retain the absorbed sweat, tend to make thewearer feel sticky

or cold after exercise. In particular, when the amount of perspirationexceeds about 200 g/m², the sticky or coldness becomes severe, makingthe wearer feel very uncomfortable.

As a method for preventing discomforts due to such stickiness orcoldness, a variety of fabrics are being investigated that can transferthe sweat from the skin side to the front side of clothing, so as toleave no moisture on the skin side. Many of them use hydrophobic fabricat the skin side, and a variety of fabrics have been proposed includingthose in which different single yarn fineness and crosssectional shapeof the yarn used are used at the front side and the back side of aknitted fabric.

For example, the following Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2propose knitted fabrics having a structure in which the front side usesa fiber having an excellent moisture absorbing ability and the back sideuses a fiber having a poor moisture absorbing ability, therebycontrolling the stickiness or coldness. Patent Document 1, which uses afiber having a poor moisture absorbing ability on the back (skin) sideof a knitted fabric, has an insufficient ability of absorbing sweat.Also, since it uses a staple fiber as one having an excellent moistureabsorbing ability, it has a poor ability of diffusing the absorbedsweat, and thus has an insufficient ability of reducing stickiness.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 uses a cellulose filament as afiber having a high moisture absorbing ability and thus has an excellentdiffusing ability. However, since it uses a hydrophobic fiber on theback (skin) side of the knitted fabric, its ability of absorbing sweatis not sufficient.

Also, the following Patent Document 3 discloses a knitted fabric havingunevenness provided on the back (skin) side of the knitted fabric, inwhich a polyester filament is arranged on the protrusion and a rayonfilament fiber on the recess. However, since the protrusion which comesinto contact with the skin is a hydrophobic fiber, its ability ofabsorbing sweat is insufficient as for the knitted fabrics described inPatent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a knitted fabric having ahydrophilic fiber on the back (skin) side thereof. The Patent Document 4discloses a knitted fabric having a dry and smooth feel, which isobtained by using a knitted fabric comprising a hydrophilic fiber and ahydrophobic fiber and making the course density of the back (skin) sideof the knitted fabric greater than that of the front side, therebyimparting unevenness to the back (skin) side of the knitted fabric.

However, since the knitted fabric is highly dense and has a very highmixing ratio of a hydrophilic fiber of 25-75%, the moisture is retainedat the skin side, and therefore despite the presence of unevenness, ithas a considerable stickiness, and has an insufficient skin-dryness tobe used in clothing.

Thus, there is still a need for providing a knitted fabric that is notstuffy and that can control stickiness and coldness, and therefore iscomfortable during insensible perspiration or slight perspiration oreven considerable perspiration.

CITATION LIST Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) No.2001-81652

Patent Document 2; Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) No.10-25643

Patent Document 3: Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) No.10-131000

Patent Document 4: Kokai (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication) No.2004-190151

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a knitted fabricwhich is not stuffy and is comfortable during insensible perspiration orslight perspiration, which, even after considerable perspiration due toexercise etc., does not make the wearer feel sticky, wet, or coldbecause of the sweat, and which has a satisfactory texture and excellentwear resistance.

Means to Solve the Problems

After intensive and extensive research and repeated experiments to solvethe above problems, the present inventors have found that by arranging aspecific amount of cellulosic filaments in the vicinity of the surfaceof the back (skin) side of a knitted fabric, the above problems can besolved, and thereby have completed the present invention.

The present invention is as described below.

[1] A knitted fabric at least comprising 5 to 25% by weight ofcellulosic filaments and 75 to 95% by weight of synthetic fibers,wherein in at least one surface A of the knitted fabric, the proportionof the area occupied by the cellulosic filaments to the overall area ofthe knitted fabric in the region of the knitted fabric which ranges to adepth of 0.13 mm is 0.2 to 15% and surface A to which moisture wasimparted in an amount of 200 g/m² has a degree of coldness to the touchof 180 to 330 W/m²·° C.

[2] The knitted fabric according to the above [1] which has a thicknessof 0.5 to 1.2 mm.

[3] The knitted fabric according to the above [1] or [2] which hasunevenness at a depth of 0.13 to 0.50 mm in the above surface A.

[4] The knitted fabric according to any one of the above [1] to [3]wherein surface B opposite to the above surface A comprises syntheticfibers.

[5] The knitted fabric according to any one of the above [1] to [3]wherein when the mixing ratio of the cellulosic filaments in the aboveoverall knitted fabric is assumed to be X, and the proportion of thearea occupied by the cellulosic filaments in the region of the knittedfabric which ranges to a depth of 0.13 mm is assumed, to be Y, X>Y.

[6] The knitted fabric according to any one of the above [1] to [5]wherein the above cellulosic filaments are a composite yarn withpolyester- or polyamide-based filaments.

[7] A textile product which comprises the knitted fabric according toany one of the above [1] to [6] and in which the above surface A isarranged at the skin side during wearing.

Effects of the Invention

The knitted fabric of the present invention is not stuffy and iscomfortable during insensible perspiration or slight perspiration,which, even after considerable perspiration due to exercise etc., doesnot make the wearer feel sticky, wet, or cold because of the sweat, andhas a satisfactory texture and excellent wear resistance, and thus ispreferably used as a knitted fabric for innerwear, sportswear, andbedclothes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 An example of the structural diagram of the knitted fabric of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 An example of the structural diagram of the knitted fabric of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 An example of the structural diagram of the knitted fabric of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 An example of the structural diagram of a conventional knittedfabric.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be explained in detail below.

The knitted fabric of the present invention is a fabric that at leastcomprises 5 to 25% by weight of cellulosic filaments and 75 to 95% byweight of synthetic fibers. Thus, in the knitted fabric of the presentinvention, the cellulosic filaments occupy 5 to 25% by weight,preferably 5 to 20% by weight of the overall knitted fabric.

As used herein, cellulosic filaments include, but not limited to,regenerated cellulosic filaments such as rayon, cupra and acetate,natural cellulosic filaments such as silk, and the like. Compared tocellulosic staple fibers such as cotton and regenerated cellulosicstaple fibers, these filaments contain less fluff and have smooth yarnsurface, and thus they have a higher ability of diffusing moisture.Among them, regenerative cellulosic filaments may be preferred and,among the regenerative cellulosic filaments, rayon filaments and cuprafilaments have a higher moisture content and a higher moisture-absorbingeffect than the original cotton, and thus may be more preferred.Specifically in cupra filaments compared to rayon filaments, even asingle fiber has smooth surface and thinner fineness, and therefore,when used in a knitted fabric, they are very soft and have asatisfactory texture, which may be specifically preferred. By arrangingthese fibers effectively in a knitted fabric, a knitted fabric that hasan excellent hygroscopic property and excellent effect of reducingstickiness, that is not stuffy or sticky during insensible perspirationor slight to considerable perspiration, and is comfortable to wear canbe made. When the proportion of cellulosic filaments to the overallknitted fabric is less than 5%, the knitted fabric has a low hygroscopicproperty and a poor ability of absorbing gaseous sweat during insensibleperspiration or slight perspiration, the ability of absorbing andtransferring moisture by cellulosic filaments becomes insufficient, theeffect of reducing stickiness during perspiration cannot be expected,and thus the knitted fabric is not comfortable to wear. On the otherhand, when the content of cellulosic filaments exceeds 25%, stickinessduring perspiration and coldness after perspiration become greater, andthus the knitted fabric is not comfortable to wear.

The fineness of cellulosic filaments may preferably be, but not limitedto, about 22 to about 84 decitex (dtex), and more preferably about 33 toabout 56 dtex. While the fineness of a single yarn of cellulosicfilaments may not be specifically limited, it may preferably be about0.5 to about 2 dtex from the viewpoint of feel to the touch and texture.

When cellulosic filaments are contained in a knitted fabric, it can beinterknitted with filaments or staple fibers of a polyester- orpolyamide-based synthetic fiber. However, from the viewpoint of treatingsweat, it may be preferred that the cellulosic filaments are arranged inthe knitted fabric as a composite yarn with synthetic fibers such as apolyester- or polyamide-based synthetic fiber, specifically with asynthetic filaments. When combined, a multifilament yarn may bepreferred having a fineness of the synthetic filaments of about 22 toabout 84 dtex, and a fineness of a single yarn of about 0.5 to about 2dtex, so as not to ruin softness to the touch. The ratio of fineness ofthe cellulosic filaments to the synthetic filaments may preferably be1:3 to 2:1. The synthetic filaments may preferably have a modifiedcross-section from the viewpoint of treating sweat by diffusion duringperspiration. Since a W-shaped cross-section fiber is a modified andfiat shape, it satisfies both of sweat treatment by capillary action andsoftness, and therefore may be more preferred.

Cellulosic filaments or a composite yarn of cellulosic filaments andsynthetic filaments can be arranged by being interknitted with anotherfiber in the knitted fabric. The partner yarn of interknitting maypreferably be a synthetic filament, specifically a polyester- orpolyamide-based synthetic fiber, and a multifilament yarn may bepreferred having a fineness of a synthetic filament of about 16 to about170 dtex, and a fineness of a single yarn of about 0.5 to about 2 dtex.A polyurethane fiber may be interknitted as appropriate to impart astretching property to the knitted fabric. A multifilament yarn for usein the present invention may comprise a delustering agent such astitanium dioxide, a stabilizer such as phosphoric acid, an ultravioletabsorber such as a hydroxybenzophenone derivative, a crystal nucleatingagent such as talc, a lubricant such as aerosil, an antioxidant such asa hindered phenol derivative, a flame retardant, an antistatic agent, apigment, a fluorescent whitener, an infrared absorber, an antifoamingagent etc.

A material for use in the knitted fabric of the present invention canhave crimp, and the crimp extension rate may preferably be 0 to 150%from the viewpoint of softness to the touch. The crimp extension rate ofa false twisted yarn was measured under the following conditions:

The upper end of a crimped yarn is fixed, a load of 1.77×10⁻³ cN/dt isapplied on the lower end, and a length (A) after 30 seconds is measured.Then, the load of 1.77×10⁻³ cN/dt is removed, a lowad of 0.088 cN/dt isapplied, and a length (B) after 30 seconds is measured. The crimpsextension rate is determined from the following formula (1):

Crimp extension rate (%)=((B−A)/A)×100  (1)

As described above, the knitted fabric of the present invention is afabric that at least comprises 5 to 25% by weight of cellulosicfilaments and 75 to 95% by weight of synthetic fibers. Thus, the knittedfabric of the present invention can comprise fibers other than thecellulosic filaments or the synthetic fibers. However, said syntheticfibers occupy 75 to 95% by weight, preferably 80 to 95% by weight of theoverall knitted fabric.

The knitted fabric of the present invention is characterized in that inone surface A thereof, the proportion of the area occupied by thecellulosic filaments to the overall area of the knitted fabric in theregion of the knitted fabric which ranges to a depth of 0.13 mm may be0.2 to 15%, preferably 0.5 to 10%. As used herein, the region whichranges to a depth of 0.13 mm refers to the outermost layer of surface A,and this layer comes into direct contact with the sweat on the skin, andabsorbs it. By generating a slantingly arranged structure in which asmall amount of cellulosic filaments in this layer and more cellulosicfilaments are arranged in the inner layer of the knitted fabric, theknitted fabric absorbs sweat faster than the conventional knitted fabricin which 100% of synthetic fibers is present in the skin side surface ofthe knitted fabric, absorbs sweat strongly into the inner layer of theknitted fabric by slantingly arranged cellulosic filaments, andfurthermore sweat is widely diffused in the knitted fabric withoutretaining it due to the diffusing property of cellulosic filaments.Thus, the sweat on the skin can be incorporated quickly and in largequantities into the knitted fabric, permitting drastic improvement instickiness during wearing. Also, since cellulosic filaments also haveexcellent moisture dispersing property, moisture dispersion tends tooccur in the inner layer, and the dispersed sweat is released from theskin side to the front side where the humidity is lower.

In order to slantingly arrange cellulosic filaments from the outermostlayer to the inner layer of a knitted fabric, the relation of the mixingpercent X (% by weight) of cellulosic filaments in the overall knittedfabric and the proportion Y (% by area) occupied by the cellulosicfilaments in the outermost layer may preferably be X>Y, more preferably(⅔)·X>Y, and most preferably (½)·X>Y. As used herein, that theproportion occupied by the cellulosic filaments on the surface of theoutermost layer is smaller that the mixing percent of cellulosicfilaments in the overall knitted fabric is rephrased that cellulosicfilaments are slantingly arranged.

In the relationship between the proportion. Yw (% by weight) occupied bythe cellulosic filaments in the outermost layer and X when the specificgravity of cellulosic filaments is about 1.5, and the specific gravityof synthetic fibers is usually smaller (generally, the specific gravityof polyester-based fibers is about 1.4, that of polyurethane-basedfibers is about 1.2, and that of polyamide-based fibers is about 1.1)than that was considered as well, preferably X>Yw, more preferably(⅔)·X>Yw, and still more preferably (½)·X>Yw.

At this time, Yw can be determined from the following formula (2):

Yw=Y·D ₁/{X·D ₁+(100−X)·D ₂}  (2)

wherein, D₁ denotes the specific gravity of cellulosic filaments, and D₂denotes an average specific gravity of fibers other than the cellulosicfilaments.

Because, in the knitted fabric of the present invention, a small amountof cellulosic filaments are arranged in surface A which comes intodirect contact with the skin of the knitted fabric of the presentinvention, it has excellent feel to the touch. Also, due to an excellenthygroscopic property, it can control stuffiness.

In order to further enhance the effect of reducing stickiness of theknitted fabric of the present invention, it may be preferred to create aknit structure having unevenness in surface A. The difference in heightbetween the protrusion and the recess may preferably be about 0.13 toabout 0.50 mm. Preferably, the protrusion is evenly distributed insurface A, and specifically when areas of 1 cm×1 cm in the sample weremeasured, it may be preferred that any one area has 10 or more of theabove protrusions, and the area of the protrusion is about 1.0 to 70% ofthe surface area. As a method for providing unevenness, there can bementioned a method for devising a knit structure and introducing a tackstructure or needle-drawing structure, a method for stacking yarns atthe protrusions, a method for varying yarn fineness, and the like.

By providing unevenness on the surface of knitted fabric, degree ofcoldness to the touch becomes smaller, and thus when this surface wasused as the skin side, stickiness during perspiration can be furtheralleviated. When the difference in height between the protrusion and therecess is less than about 0.13 mm, the area in contact with the skin isnot different from when there is no unevenness, and thus it cannot besaid that there is unevenness, and effect of the knitted fabric offurther reducing stickiness cannot be expected. When the difference inheight between the protrusion and the recess is about 0.13 mm or more,the contact area of the skin and the knitted fabric becomes smaller whenthe fabric is worn with the side having unevenness as the skin side, andthus the effect of reducing stickiness becomes greater when the knittedfabric absorbed moisture. On the other hand, when the difference inheight between the protrusion and the recess exceeds about 0.50 mm, thethickness of the fabric becomes great, and thereby rough feel due tounevenness becomes greater leading to poor wearing feel such asstuffiness due to retention of the air layer.

Also, if the difference in height between the protrusion and the recessexceeds 0.13 mm, there will be regions which are not included in theregion ranging to a depth of 0.13 mm from the surface. Thus, in thiscase, surface A can be divided into a region (hereinafter referred to asthe outermost layer of surface A) which ranges to a depth of 0.13 mm anda region (hereinafter referred to as the inner layer of surface A) whichexceeds a depth of 0.13 mm. The area occupied by the protrusions of theknitted fabric in the outermost layer of surface A may preferably be 10to 70% of the total area of surface A.

The difference in height between the protrusion and the recess can bedetermined by photographing the cross section of a knitted fabric withan electron microscope, followed by measuring at 5 different sites andaveraging. The difference between the protrusion and the recess of about0.17 to 0.45 mm may be more preferred.

By arranging surface A of the knitted fabric of the present invention atthe skin side of the wearer of the textile product, the above-mentionedeffect exhibited by the knitted fabric of the present invention canpreferably be expressed.

The knitted fabric of the present invention is characterized in that thedegree of coldness to the touch of surface A when a 200 g/m² moisturewas imparted is about 180 to about 330 W/m²·° C. Said degree of coldnessto the touch (hereinafter referred to as the value of coldness to thetouch) may preferably be about 180 to 280 W/m²·° C. more preferablyabout 180 to about 260 W/m²·° C., and more preferably about 180 to about240 W/m²·° C.

In measuring this degree of coldness to the touch, Thermo Labo IImanufactured by Rate Tech Co., Ltd. is used. This instrument measuresthe amount of heat transfer when a warmed hot plate is placed on asample. A specific measuring procedure is as follows:

After adjusting the humidity of a sample to be used in measurement for24 hours in an environment of 20° C. and 65% RH (relative humidity),sampling is carried out at 8 cm×8 cm. A maximum amount of neat transferis measured at the instant when a hot plate warmed to 30° C. in anenvironment of 20° C. and 65% RH is placed onto a sample of the knittedfabric placed with surface A facing upward.

The moisture when a moisture of 200 g/m² was imparted is a conditionthat simulates the amount of moisture in the sweat absorbed by fabricafter an exercise that induces considerable sweating.

In a method of imparting moisture during measurement, a sprayer may beused to impart moisture to the surface A side of the sample to a weightof the sample sampled at 8 cm×8 cm of −1.28 g. The temperature of waterin the sprayer at this time is 20° C.,

When there is residual water in the knitted fabric, a large amount ofheat is taken from the hot plate, because the thermal conductivity ofwater is high, and the degree of coldness to the touch becomes large.Thus, at sample having a large degree of coldness to the touch means ahigh stickiness. When the decree of coldness to the touch exceeds about330 W/m²·° C., the stickiness becomes unfavorably large, whereas at adegree of coldness to the touch smaller than about 180 W/m²· C., thestickiness is favorably small, but to attain a degree of coldness to thetouch of less than about 180 W/m²·° C., unevenness must be markedlylarge, which is not preferred from the viewpoint of texture to thetouch. While a conventional knitted fabric comprising cellulose thatgenerally has a large degree of coldness to the touch far exceedingabout 330 W/m²·° C., cellulosic filaments are slantingly arranged in theknitted fabric of the present invention so as to utilize thewater-absorbing and diffusing ability of the cellulosic filaments,thereby providing a knitted fabric having an improved stickiness evenwhen a large amount of water was imparted.

The thickness of the knitted fabric of the present invention maypreferably be about 0.5 to about 1.2 mm.

The thickness of a knitted fabric is measured using a thicknessmeasuring gauge manufactured by Peacock, in which a measuring part ofφ3.0 cm was allowed to come into

contact with a knitted fabric with a 5 g load, and thickness is measuredat 3 sites and averaged. When this thickness is smaller than about 0.5mm, it has a poor ability of treating sweat and is not comfortable,whereas when the thickness exceeds about 1.2 mm, roughness of the fabricbecomes large and spoils texture. The thickness of the knitted fabric ofthe present invention may more preferably be about 0.5 to about 1.0 mm.According to the present invention, the sweat on the skin, is absorbedquickly by the water-absorbing and diffusing properties of cellulosicfilaments, and thus even a knitted fabric thinner than those intended toreduce stickiness by the difference of density or fineness between thefront and back of a 100% polyester can exhibit a comparative effect.

In the knitted fabric of the present invention, surface B opposite tosurface A may be composed mainly of synthetic fibers. Because, whencellulosic filaments are arranged on the surface of a knitted fabric,broken thread may easily occur due to abrasion on the front surface sideof a textile product during wearing, and interknitting or difference incolor and luster from a composite fiber may easily occur, which can ruinthe appearance. The area occupied by the cellulosic filaments in surfaceB to the entire area of the knitted fabric may preferably be 5% or less,more preferably 1% or less, and still more preferably 0.2% or less, andmay preferably be smaller than the proportion of the area occupied bythe cellulosic filaments in the region up to a depth of 0.13 mm insurface A. Most preferably, surface B may be composed only of syntheticfibers.

The knitted fabric of the present invention may be warp knitted or weftknitted, and may preferably have a layered structure of 3 layers ormore, having 2 layers of the front and back layers and an inner layer inbetween them. Due to restraint of knitted fabric structure, boundariesbetween layers may be ambiguous or may be so as long as it is a knittedfabric that functions equally to 3 layers.

As a knitting machine for making the knitted fabric of the presentinvention, there can be used a flat knitting machine, a double knitcircular knitting machine, a tricot knitting machine, a Raschel knittingmachine and the like, and in order to make a multilayered knitted fabrichaving 3 layers or more, a double knit circular knitting machine may bepreferred. The knitting gauge used of a knitting machine may preferablybe about 10 to about 40 GG.

As knitting structure, in the case of double knit circular knitting, formaking the knitted fabric of the present invention, herringbone,blister, waffle, dimple mesh etc. can be used, and a structure thatuses, but not limited to, tuck knitting in which unevenness can beobtained on the back side of a knitted fabric may be preferred. In warpknitting, by arranging cellulosic filaments in the middle in three-reedknitting to produce a structure that expresses unevenness, the desiredeffect can be exhibited. The number of loops in the course direction onthe front and back of a knitted fabric of the present invention may notbe specifically limited as long as it does not cause any problems inconstruction.

In order to exhibit the effect of reducing stickiness of the knittedfabric of the present invention, a slantingly arranged structure iseffective in which a small amount of cellulosic filaments are arrangedin the outermost layer of surface A of the 3-layered structure,cellulosic filaments at an amount larger than that in the outermostlayer are arranged in the inner layer of surface A, and synthetic fibersare arranged in surface B. In this case, for example, by controlling theamount supplied of an interlinked partner yarn and cellulosic filamentsby varying the number of yarn feeding ports and yarn fineness,cellulosic filaments can be slanted. Also, by using plating knitting ofcellulosic filaments or a composite yarn thereof and synthetic fibers insurface A of a 2-layer structured knitted fabric, and arrangingcellulosic filaments mainly in the inner layer of surface A of theknitted fabric, there may preferably be used a method that satisfies theconstruction of the present invention, if not a 3-layered structure.There can also be used a method in which, by using cellulosic filamentsor a composite yarn thereof and synthetic fibers in surface A andvarying the yarn fineness to thicken the yarn of synthetic fibers, thecellulosic filaments can be relatively arranged inside. In this case,the fineness of synthetic fibers in surface A may preferably be1.5-times as that of the cellulosic filaments or a composite yarnthereof.

The weight of the knitted fabric of the present invention may preferablybe, but not limited to, about 50 to about 300 g/m², more preferablyabout 80 to about 250 g/m².

The knitted fabric of the present invention may preferably be subjectedto a moisture absorption process.

By making the knitting density of surface B greater than that of surfaceA of the knitted fabric of the present invention, a capillary phenomenoncan be exhibited to transfer moisture from the surface A side to thesurface B side. By wearing such a surface A of the knitted fabric of thepresent invention having a moisture-transferring function as the skinside of clothing, moisture tends not to remain on the skin surface evenduring considerable perspiration, and can alleviate stickiness andcoldness during wearing. Such a knitted fabric can be produced using adifferent-gauge knitting machine that has different gauges at the dialside and the cylinder side.

In order to exhibit a capillary phenomenon, the number of loops in thewell direction of knitted fabric surface B may preferably be made about1.1 to about 4.5-fold the number of loops in the well direction ofknitted fabric surface A. The number of loops in the wale direction onthe surface may be determined by measuring the number of knitted loopsper width of 2.54 cm (1 inch) with a densimeter, linen tester, or thelike. The number of loops as used herein refers to the number of knittedstitches identified on each of the front and back of a knitted fabric,and does not include knitted stitches such as tuck loop or sinker loop.

In another method for exhibiting a capillary phenomenon, the yarnfineness of the single yarn on the surface B side is made smaller thanthat of the single yarn on the surface A side. Preferably the yarnfineness of the single yarn on the surface B side is made ½ or less thatof the single yarn on the surface A side.

The knitted fabric of the present invention can be used in textileproducts to be worn by humans. At this time, by using surface B of theknitted fabric of the present invention at the outer air side andsurface A at the skin side, the above-mentioned effect can be exhibited.

The knitted fabric of the present invention may be suitable for, but notlimited to, applications in clothing materials among textile products,for example clothing for which a sweat treating function is desired suchas sportswear and innerwear, can also be applied in clothing materialsfor outer wear and lining, bedclothing such as sheets, and furthermoresanitary articles such as incontinence pants, has comfort due to themoisture-absorbing property, and exhibits the effect of reducingstickiness and coldness due to moisture.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be explained more specifically below withreference to examples. The present invention is not limited to them inany way.

The knitted fabric obtained in examples was evaluated in the followingmanner.

(1) Area Occupied by the Cellulosic Filaments in Surface A.

(i) A knitted fabric sample is immersed in a dye solution containing 1%owf of a direct dye of an intermediate deep color (such as SumilightBlue) and 5 g/l of Na₂SO₄ and heated at 90° C. for 30 minutes to stainthe cellulosic filament part of the fabric. The density of the stainedsample is adjusted, to be equal to that before staining.

(ii) In the sample from the above (i), 3 areas in a range of 1 cm long×1cm wide are randomly specified, and marked with thread etc. so as topermit three dimensional identification.

(iii) The marked areas in surface A of the sample are measured at ameasuring interval of 20 μm using a three dimensional surface profilemeasuring machine. After correcting the tilt of the data, the maximumvalue of height is changed to 20 μm in Excel's contour map, and theheight in which distribution is ubiquitously exhibited in a 1 cm×1 cmsample is set as the height of the outermost side, from which atwo-dimensional map is created with a value smaller by 0.13 mm as themaximum value of the contour map to specify the outermost layer part (aregion that ranges to a depth of 0.13 mm) in surface A. As used herein“the height in which distribution is ubiquitously exhibited” refers to aheight in which, when a 1 cm×1 cm region was divided into four regionsof 5 mm×5 mm, the surface appears in any of the divided regions. Thecellulosic filaments in the surface of the outermost layer is measuredin the following manner.

(iv) The marked areas in surface A of the same sample are photographedwith a microscope, the data of the above (iii) and (iv) aresuperimposed, and the area wherein the colored yarns appear on thesurface of the outermost layer in surface A is calculated as an areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments. When the processing of image (iv)is difficult, the data in the above (iii) and (iv) are printed out inthe same size, and after measuring the weight of paper of a 1 cm×1 cmarea, the two are superimposed, the outermost layer part is excised,from which the stained yarn part is further excised and the weight ismeasured for calculation. The area occupied by the cellulosic filamentsin surface A of the knitted fabric can be calculated in the followingequation:

A proportion (area %) occupied by the cellulosic filaments in surface Aof the knitted fabric=the area occupied by the cellulosic filaments inthe surface of the outermost layer part/the area of the sample (3)

(2) The mixing Ratio of Cellulosic Filaments (% by Weight)

The mixing ratio X of the overall knitted fabric represents aninterknitting ratio of cellulosic filaments of the knitted fabric, andcan be calculated from the weight consumed of the yarn in constructingthe knitted fabric, or the weight of cellulosic filaments measured bydecomposing the knitted fabric obtained based on the following equation(4):

X(% by weight)=(weight of cellulosic filaments in the knittedfabric/weight of the knitted fabric)×100  (4)

When the calculation based on the amount of yarn used is difficult, itcan be calculated based on the moisture content of the knitted fabric.

(3) Wearing Test

After a person wearing a shirt prepared so that the back side of thestained knitted fabric becomes the skin side was placed at rest for 10minutes in an artificial climate chamber at an environment of 28° C. and65% RH, the wearer was subjected to a running exercise for 30 minutes at8 km/h on a treadmill ORK-3000 manufactured by Ohtake Root Kogyo Ltd.,and then placed at rest for 10 minutes again. Feel to the touch/texture,comfortable feeling before the running exercise, and stickiness andcoldness after the running exercise were each subjected to sensoryrating based on the following criteria:

<Feel to the Touch/Texture Before the Running Exercise>

A: Good, feel to the touch and good texture

B: Slightly bad feel to the touch and slightly bad texture

C: Bad feel to the touch and bad texture

<Comfortable Feeling Before the Running Exercise>

A: Comfortable

B: Slightly uncomfortable

C: Uncomfortable

<Stickiness After the Running Exercise>

A: Feel no stickiness

B: Feel slight stickiness

C: Feel stickiness

<Coldness After the Running Exercise>

A: Feel no coldness

B: Feel slight coldness

C: Feel coldness

Working Example 1

Using a dual different-gauge circular knitting machine with 18 GG on thedial side and 24 GG on the cylinder side, a composite yarn (crimpextension rate 7.4%) prepared by combining a polyester circularcross-sectional yarn of 84dtex/72f, a cupra circular cross-sectionalyarn of 33dtex/24f, and a polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of56dtex/72f followed by false twisting, and a yarn (total fineness 336dtex) prepared by knitting 4 polyester circular cross-sectional yarns of84dtex/72f together were fed as shown in the knitting structure of FIG.1 (circled numerals in the figure indicate the order of knitting) toobtain a knitted gray fabric. After this gray fabric was scoured at 80°C.×20 minutes and washed in a jet dyeing machine, it was preset at180×90 seconds at a tentering rate of 20% using a pin tenter.Thereafter, it was subjected to polyester staining, a water absorptionprocess and water-washing, and then extended to a degree in whichwrinkles are removed, and final set was carried out at 150×90 seconds toobtain a knitted fabric with a weight of 150 g/m² and a thickness of0.97 mm. At the surface A side of the knitted fabric obtained,protrusions were present due to difference in fineness of arrangedyarns, but the region (the outermost part) ranging to a depth of 0.13 mmoccupied 55% of the area of the overall knitted fabric. The ratio ofarea occupied by the cellulosic filaments at the outermost layer ofsurface A was 2.5% of the area of the overall knitted fabric, and thecellulosic filaments were slantingly arranged. The ratio of areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments at the outermost layer of surface 3was 0%. The degree of coldness of surface A when 200 g/m² of water wasimparted was 195 W/m²·° C. In the wearing test of a shirt obtained fromthis knitted fabric, it was comfortable to wear before exercise, andeven after perspiration, there was no stickiness or coldness. The resultis shown in Table 1.

Working Example 2

Using a 28-gauge dual gauge circular knitting machine, a composite yarnprepared by combining a polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of56dtex/72f, a cupra circular cross-sectional yarn of 33dtex/24f, and apolyester circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/72f followed by falsetwisting, and a polyester circular cross-sectional yarns of 56dtex/24fwere fed as shown in the knitting structure of FIG. 2 (circled numeralsin the figure indicate the order of knitting, and the same yarn type isfed at the knitting portion indicated on the same line (for example,circled numerals 1 and 13)). When the composite yarn and a polyestercircular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/72f were fed, they weresubjected to plating so that the composite yarn is arranged inside ofthe knitted fabric, and by processing similarly to Working Example 1, aknitted fabric with a weight of 134 g/m² and a thickness of 0.69 mm wasobtained. At the surface A side of the knitted fabric obtained,protrusions were present due to yarn overlapping, and the ratio of areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments at the outermost layer of surface Awas 4.7%, and the cellulosic filaments were slantingly arranged. Theratio of area occupied by the cellulosic filaments at surface B was 0%,The degree of coldness of surface A when 200 g/m² of water was impartedwas 220 W/m²·° C. In the wearing test of a shirt obtained from thisknitted fabric, it was comfortable to wear before exercise, and evenafter perspiration, there was no stickiness or coldness. The result isshown in Table 1.

Working Example 3

Using a 28 GG tricot knitting machine, a polyester circularcross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/24f as a structure 10/23 at the front, apolyester circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/24f and a copracircular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/30f with each single yarnalternately arranged as structure 21/10 at the middle, and a polyester Wcross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/30f as a structure 10/12 at the back werearranged. The cupra circular cross-sectional yarn was arranged mainly inthe intermediate layer of the knitted fabric. In a processing treatmentsimilar to Working Example 1, a knitted fabric with a weight of 138g/mm² and a thickness of 0.61 mm was obtained. At the surface A side ofthe knitted fabric obtained, unevenness was present in the knittingstructure, and the ratio of area occupied by the cellulosic filaments atthe outermost layer of surface A was 9.3%, and the cellulosic filamentswere slantingly arranged. The ratio of area occupied by the cellulosicfilaments at surface B was 0%. The degree of coldness of surface A when200 g/m² of water was imparted was 255 W/m²·° C. In the wearing test ofa shirt obtained from this knitted fabric, it was comfortable to wearand there was no stickiness or coldness. The result is shown in Table 1.

Working Example 4

Using a 26-gauge dual circular knitting machine, a composite yarnprepared by interlace-combining a polyester circular cross-sectionalyarn of 84dtex/72f, a cupra circular cross-sectional yarn of 33dtex/24f,and a polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/72f followed byfalse twisting, and a polyester circular cross-sectional yarns of56dtex/24f were fed as shown in the knitting structure of FIG. 3(circled numerals in the figure indicate the order of knitting, and thesame yarn type is fed at the knitting portion indicated on the same line(for example, circled numerals 1, 5 and 9)). When the composite yarn anda polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/24 were fed, theywere subjected to plating so that the composite yarn is arranged insideof the knitted fabric, and by processing similarly to Working Example 1,a knitted fabric with a weight of 148 g/m² and a thickness of 0.68 mmwas obtained. At the surface A side of the knitted fabric obtained,unevenness was small, and the ratio of area occupied by the cellulosicfilaments at surface A was 4.2%, and the cellulosic filaments wereslantingly arranged. The ratio of area occupied by the cellulosicfilaments at surface B was 0%. The degree of coldness at surface A when200 g/m² of water was imparted was 229 W/m²·° C. In the wearing test ofa shirt obtained from this knitted fabric, it was comfortable to wearbefore exercise, and even after perspiration, there was no stickiness orcoldness. The result is shown in Table 1.

Working Example 5

Except that the cupra circular cross-sectional yarn of 33dtex/24f inWorking Example 2 was replaced with a rayon 34dtex/30f, a knitted fabricsimilar to that in Working Example 2 was prepared and a knitted fabricwith a weight of 147 g/m² and a thickness of 0.78 mm was obtained. Atthe surface A side of the knitted fabric obtained, protrusions werepresent due to yarn overlapping, and the ratio of area occupied, by thecellulosic filaments at the outermost layer of surface A was 9.8%, andthe cellulosic filaments were slantingly arranged. The ratio of areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments in surface B was 5%. The degree ofcoldness in surface A when 200 g/m² of water was imparted was 273 W/m²·°C. In the wearing test of a shirt obtained from this knitted fabric, itwas comfortable to wear, and there was little stickiness or coldness.The result is shown in Table 1.

Working Example 6

Except that the composite yarn in Working Example 2 was replaced with acupra circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/30f and the yarn was fedas shown in the knitting structure of FIG. 2, conditions similar to thatin Working Example 2 were used to obtain a knitted fabric with a weightof 127 g/m² and a thickness of 0.68 mm. At the surface A side of theknitted fabric obtained, protrusions were present due to yarnoverlapping, and the ratio of area occupied by the cellulosic filamentsat the outermost layer of surface A was 13.8%. The ratio of areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments at surface B was 3%. The degree ofcoldness in surface A. when 200 g/m² of water was imparted was 294W/m²·° C. In the wearing test of a shirt obtained from this knittedfabric, there was little stickiness or coldness. The result is shown inTable 1.

Comparative Example 1

Using a 28 GG dual circular knitting machine, a composite yarn preparedby interlace-combining a cupra circular cross-sectional yarn of56dtex/24f and a polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of 56dtex/72ffollowed by false twisting, and a polyester circular cross-sectionalyarn of 84dtex/72f with each single yarn alternately arranged wereknitted as shown in the knitting structure of FIG. 4. By processingsimilarly to Working Example 1, a knitted fabric with a weight of 139g/m² and a thickness of 0.71 mm was obtained. At the surface A side ofthe knitted fabric obtained, unevenness was small, and the ratio of areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments at surface A was as large as 18.8%,and the cellulosic filaments were not slantingly arranged. The ratio ofarea occupied by the cellulosic filaments at surface B was 18%. Thedegree of coldness at surface A when 200 g/m² of water was imparted was355 W/m²·° C. In the wearing test of a shirt obtained from this knittedfabric, there was considerable stickiness and coldness. The result isshown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 2

Except that all yarns were a polyester circular cross-sectional yarn of84dtex/72f, processing similarly to Working Example 1 was carried out toobtain a knitted fabric with a weight of 126 g/m² and a thickness of0.66 mm. The knitted fabric was 100% polyester, and the degree ofcoldness when 200 g/m² of water was imparted was 348 W/m²·° C. In thewearing test of a shirt obtained from this knitted fabric, it lackedcomfort both before and after exercise. The result is shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Feed yarn Mixing ratio (%) Surface Surface Knitting KnittingWeight Thickness Cellu- Synthetic A B machine structure (g/m²) (nm) losefiber Work. Polyester Cupra Polyester Dual FIG. 1 150 0.97 8 92 Ex. 1circular 33dtex/24f circular circular crosssection polyestercrosssection knitting 84dtex/72f circular 84dtex/72f machine paralleledyarn crosssection 56dtex/72f composite yarn Work. Polyester CupraPolyester Dual FIG. 2 134 0.69 9 91 Ex. 2 circular 33dtex/24f circularcircular crosssection polyester crosssection knitting 56dtex/24fcircular 56dtex/72f machine crosssection 56dtex/72f composite yarn Work.Polyester Cupra Polyester Tricot — 138 0.61 17 83 Ex. 3 W shaped56dtex/30f circular crosssection crosssection 56dtex/30f 56dtex/72fWork. Polyester Cupra Polyester Dual FIG. 3 148 0.68 7 93 Ex. 4 circular33dtex/24f circular circular crosssection polyester crosssectionknitting 56dtex/24f circular 84dtex/72f machine crosssection 56dtex/72fcomposite yarn Work. Polyester Rayon Polyester Dual FIG. 2 147 0.78 1585 Ex. 5 circular 84dtex/30f circular circular crosssection polyester Wcrosssection knitting 56dtex/24f crosssection 56dtex/72f machine56dtex/72f composite yarn Work. Polyester Cupra Polyester Dual FIG. 2127 0.68 13 87 Ex. 6 circular 56dtex/30f circular circular crosssectioncrosssection knitting 56dtex/24f 56dtex/72f machine Comp. PolyesterCupra Polyester Cupra Dual FIG. 4 139 0.71 22 78 Ex. 1 circular56dtex/24f circular 56dtex/24f circular crosssection polyestercrosssection polyester knitting 84dtex/72f circular 84dtex/72f circularmachine crosssection crosssection 56dtex/72f 56dtex/72f composite yarncomposite yarn Comp. Polyester Polyester Dual FIG. 2 126 0.66 0 100 Ex.2 circular circular circular crosssection crosssection knitting84dtex/72f 84dtex/72f machine Difference Degree of Feel & in heightcoldness when texture Comfort Stickiness Coldness Cellulose ofprojection 200 g/m² before before after after Area & of and recess waterwas given running running running running Surface A (nm) (w/

 ° C.) exercise exercise exercise exercise Work. 2.5 0.35 195 A A A AEx. 1 Work. 4.7 0.17 220 B A B A Ex. 2 Work. 9.3 0.18 255 B A B A Ex. 3Work. 4.2 0.11 229 B A B B Ex. 4 Work. 9.8 0.29 273 B A B A Ex. 5 Work.13.8 0.20 294 A A B B Ex. 6 Comp. 18.8 0.11 355 A A C C Ex. 1 Comp. 00.20 348 C C C C Ex. 2

indicates data missing or illegible when filed

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

By using the knitted fabric of the present invention, there can beproduced a textile product such as clothing that is not stuffy and iscomfortable during insensible perspiration, and can alleviate stickinessor coldness during slight perspiration or even considerable perspirationdue to exercise for long hours etc. Textile products thus produced suchas sportswear, inner, and outer, and bedclothing etc. are comfortable towear.

1. A knitted fabric at least comprising 5 to 25% by weight of cellulosicfilaments and 75 to 95% by weight of synthetic fibers, wherein in atleast one surface A of the knitted fabric, the proportion of the areaoccupied by the cellulosic filaments to the overall area of the knittedfabric in the region of the knitted fabric which ranges to a depth of0.13 mm is 0.2 to 15% and surface A to which moisture was imparted in anamount of 200 g/m² has a degree of coldness to the touch of 180 to 330W/m²·° C.
 2. The knitted fabric according to claim 1 which has athickness of 0.5 to 1.2 mm.
 3. The knitted fabric according to claim 2which has unevenness at a depth of 0.13 to 0.50 mm in said surface A. 4.The knitted fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein surfaceE opposite to said surface A comprises synthetic fibers.
 5. The knittedfabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein when the mixingratio of the cellulosic filaments in said overall knitted fabric isassumed to be X, and the proportion of the area occupied by thecellulosic filaments in the region of the knitted fabric which ranges toa depth of 0.13 mm is assumed to be Y, X>Y.
 6. The knitted fabricaccording to any one of claim 1 to 3 wherein said cellulosic filamentsare a composite yarn with polyester- or polyamide-based filaments.
 7. Atextile product which comprises the knitted fabric according to any oneof claims 1 to 3 and in which the abovesaid surface A is arranged at theskin side daring wearing.